I think this is something you have to be very aware of in terms of the overall Gambling landscape, both now and going forward. In the UK, betting is regulated by The Gambling Commission (GC). Lets be clear, they make a chocolate teapot look useful.
They are simply not fit for purpose and never have been. They simply don’t understand the problems facing the industry going forward and the fact we are in this current situation owes an awful lot to their incompetence in previous years.
They have always maintained that Gambling should be ‘fair and safe’. That in itself is a perfectly noble goal but they have fallen so far short of it that it beggars belief. They have the power to issue and retract licenses in the UK as they see fit.
The fact that bookmakers have been able to undertake the practices they have, without recourse, over many many years has seen them become utterly brazen in their attitude towards the GC. They can behave absolutely abhorrently and know only a small fine will be the outcome.
This makes it very tough on the punter as they have no belief that the bookmakers will be held to account, if they do not operate in a fair manner. Everything is hugely favourable for the bookmaker, which goes against the stated aims of the Gambling Commission.
As a pro punter you have to constantly navigate questionable bookmaker practices. Withdrawal delays, Ridiculous id requests. Bet acceptance delays. Questionable rules interpretations. Restrictions. That is just the tip of the iceberg.
The well publicised case with Geoff Banks recently and the dog accas he voided gives a little insight. Three sets of individuals placed the same four fold accas on the dogs. After the first dog had won he voided the bets hiding behind T&Cs.
There is a very simple rule in betting. If you accept a bet then whatever happens after that is on you. If it wins, you suck it up and pay. If the problems relate to systems you have, stop whining and improve them or don’t take the bets.
One of the biggest problems with it, is that had the dogs lost, there was absolutely no chance that Banks would have voided the bets and repaid the stake. He was essentially on a free roll. This is the type of behaviour that has gone on for years under the watchful eye of the Gambling Commission.
When an organisation so incompetent is in charge, it really gives pause to what the future holds. The future outlook for betting in this country is very bleak indeed. You have to constantly take these things into consideration.
ProPunting 